Spain to Support PA's Bid for Statehood at UN -- Maybe

Spain has expressed lukewarm support for the PA's upcoming bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September

By Chana Ya'ar

First Publish: 7/21/2011, 2:49 PM

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas

Flash 90

Spain has expressed lukewarm support for the Palestinian Authority bid for United Nations recognition as an independent sovereign state.

Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez met for talks on the issue with PA Chairman and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to Madrid this week, along with King Juan Carlos.

“The minister expressed the desire to continue the work which has been carried out over the past years to strengthen ties and support efforts by the Palestinian National Authority to build a future Palestinian state,”said the foreign ministry in a statement to the media.

But Madrid added that it would determine its future position on the issue “based on the proposals that arise, in a constructive spirit.”